初 (chū) - beginning, first, initial & elementary

初Tone 1

chū ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 衤

橙丁

初 · chū

beginning, first, initial;

elementary;

original;

used in words related to start, origin, and basic stages.

beginning, first, initialelementaryoriginal

Usage highlights

BeginningElementary levelInitial stageEarly springFirst loveEarly morning

Synonyms

  • 始— beginning, start
  • 首— first, head
  • 原— original, primary

Antonyms

  • 末— end, final
  • 终— end, conclusion
  • 晚— late, evening

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • This is the beginning (初) of the story.
  • I am an elementary (初级) level student.
  • The initial (初步) plan is ready.
  • Early spring (初春) brings new life.

Collocations

  • Beginning(初)
  • Elementary level(初级)
  • Initial stage(初步)
  • Early spring(初春)
  • First love(初恋)
  • Early morning(初晨)

Idioms

  • As at the beginning(一如既往)
  • First emergence of talent(初露锋芒)
  • First trial yields success(初战告捷)
  • Return to one's original intention(不忘初心)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted cutting cloth to make clothes, representing the start of a new creation.
  • In Confucian thought, emphasizes the importance of maintaining one's original pure intention (初心).
  • Commonly used in educational contexts to denote beginner or elementary levels.

FAQ